Tales of love ... in 100 words or less

In August 1966, my best friend was invited to a birthday party, and four of us guys showed up. I asked the Birthday Girl if she'd like to dance. One thing led to another, and we wound up taking a walk along the lakefront. When I asked if I could give her a birthday kiss, she told me she wasn't that type of girl. I took that as a challenge and wound up being successful. We just celebrated our 42nd anniversary, and I'm still able to get a birthday kiss … or two.

He was my boyfriend's best friend and was one guy of three couples that we went out together with, now and then. I never thought much about him because he and his girlfriend seemed like two "old" people, and I fancied myself to be a bit more fun-loving. As time went by, he joined the Army, and I moved to New Jersey. He came to visit me, and all of a sudden he looked a lot better. After a few dates (well, it was the '50s), he planted quite a nice kiss on my lips. Then we went back to Chicago to see his parents. What clinched it was how he treated his mom. Fifty-four years, seven children, and 19 grandchildren later, it's still good.

— Jeanne Niemann

My son Kevin married the love of his life and his best friend, Caroline Cannizzaro, at a fairy tale wedding New Year's Eve. They were best friends at Boston College and beyond for 10 years, fixing each other up with their friends, only to finally realize what I did years before, that they were meant to be together. She is the daughter that I wished and prayed for. We share the same birthday and favorite color (blue). She wore my wedding veil. Dreams really do come true.

— Nancy Newell

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